Air Conditioning with Magnetic Refrigeration

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Program:
BEETIT
Award:
$2,889,676
Location:
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
09/01/2010 - 04/30/2014

Technology Description:

Astronautics Corporation of America is developing an air conditioning system that relies on magnetic fields. Typical air conditioners use vapor compression to cool air. Vapor compression uses a liquid refrigerant to circulate within the air conditioner, absorb the heat, and pump the heat out into the external environment. Astronautics' design uses a novel property of certain materials, called "magnetocaloric materials", to achieve the same result as liquid refrigerants. These magnetocaloric materials essentially heat up when placed within a magnetic field and cool down when removed, effectively pumping heat out from a cooler to warmer environment. In addition, magnetic refrigeration uses no ozone-depleting gases and is safer to use than conventional air conditioners, which are prone to leaks.

Potential Impact:

If successful, Astronautics' magnetic refrigeration could improve the efficiency of air conditioners without using refrigerants.

Security:

Increased energy efficiency would decrease U.S. energy demand and reduce reliance on fossil fuels—strengthening U.S. energy security.

Environment:

Refrigerants with polluting emissions could account for up to 10%-20% of global warming by year 2050. Astronautics' technology could eliminate the use of these refrigerants.

Economy:

Widespread adoption of this technology could reduce energy consumption for building air conditioning—providing consumers with cost savings on energy bills.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Dane Boysen
Project Contact:
Steve L. Russek
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
s.russek@astronautics.com

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Release Date:
03/02/2010